Calagiones to receive Delaware History Makers Award April 19

Sam and Mariah Calagione are the honorees of the 2018 Delaware History Makers Award, which recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary and lasting contributions to the quality of life in Delaware, the nation or the world.

This year's award recognizes the Calagiones' work building Dogfish Head Craft Brewery into one of the nation's best craft beer producers, and their commitment to the environment as leaders in The Nature Conservancy. Also, the philanthropic branch of the company, Beer & Benevolence, has generously supported nonprofit organizations throughout Delaware by supplying products for fundraising events.

Sam Calagione is the founder and president of the company, one of the nation's fastest-growing independent breweries. In 2017, Calagione won the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Beer Professional of the Year. Mariah Draper Calagione is vice president of the company, and a trustee of the Draper Holdings Charitable Foundation and The Nature Conservancy

The 11th Annual Delaware History Makers Award event will begin with a short award ceremony at 6 p.m., Thursday, April 19, at The Queen Theater on North Market Street in Wilmington. It will followed by a celebration next door at the Delaware History Museum and Old Town Hall. A variety of Dogfish Head beers and specialty food pairings will be served.

The theme for the 2018 program is A Delaware Tradition: Local Brewing, Dogfish Head, and the Nation's Best Craft Beer. The evening will include live entertainment, a buffet, and a mini-exhibit of photos from Delaware's Golden Age of Brewing and the repeal of Prohibition. All proceeds support the Delaware Historical Society's educational programs and exhibitions. 

Delaware enjoyed a long-standing beer-brewing tradition dating back to the early Swedes before Prohibition closed local breweries in 1920. Recently, the production of locally brewed craft beer has become an increasingly important component of Delaware's economy, a tourist attraction and a point of pride. With the rise of craft brewing in the 1990s, the industry has launched Delaware toward the top of per capita national rankings in craft-beer production, consumption, and economic impact, according to the U.S. Brewers Association. Leading the way in what has been called Delaware's Second Golden Age of Brewing is Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, founded in Milton in 1995.

The Delaware History Makers Award began in 2007 and supports the Delaware Historical Society's award-winning education programs. Past honorees include Ed and Peggy Woolard, Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Toni Young, The Hon. Pete Du Pont, Ken Burns, Harold R. "Tubby" Raymond, Dr. Carol Hoffecker, Rev. Roberto Balducelli, Rev. Canon Lloyd Casson, Ellen Kullman, The Hon. Michael N. Castle, Bryan Stevenson, Rod Ward III, and The Hon. Andre Bouchard.

For tickets, sponsorship details and additional information, visit dehistory.org/ historymakers, email deinfo@dehistory.org or call 302-655-7161.